TY - JOUR T1 - Ear drops containing steroids were better than acetic acid for otitis externa JF - Evidence Based Nursing JO - Evid Based Nurs SP - 43 LP - 43 DO - 10.1136/ebn.7.2.43 VL - 7 IS - 2 A2 - , Y1 - 2004/04/01 UR - http://ebn.bmj.com/content/7/2/43.abstract N2 - van Balen FA, Smit WM, Zuithoff NP, et al. Clinical efficacy of three common treatments in acute otitis externa in primary care: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2003;327:1201–5.OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text Q In patients with acute otitis externa, what is the relative effectiveness of ear drops containing acetic acid, steroids and acetic acid, and steroids and antibiotics?Design:randomised controlled trial.Allocation:concealed.Blinding:blinded (health care providers and patients).Follow up period:42 days.Setting:47 general practices in the central part of the Netherlands.Patients:213 patients (mean age 43 y, 50% men) presenting with signs and symptoms of acute otitis externa. Exclusion criteria: age ⩽17 years, pregnancy, otitis externa lasting >3 weeks, furuncle in the external auditory canal, acute otitis media, perforated eardrum, perichondritis, fever, allergy to study drugs, or treatment for acute otitis externa in the past month.Interventions:3 ear … ER -